“You can call Avery on the way back to the hotel and see for yourself, but we need to go.”
Agent Swensen slid her ID back into her pocket as Alex’s gaze slid from her to the restaurant’s entrance.
“Your sister is safe and unharmed.” The pretty brunette motioned to a yellow sedan marked Taxi that was parked a few feet away. “You have my word. Now, please. You need to get into the car before Crawford sees you.”
Though she was still confused, she did as the woman asked and climbed into the so-called taxi’s back seat.The door closed and Alex wasted no time grabbing her phone and calling her sister.
It rang once. Twice. And after what felt like an eternal third ring, Avery’s sweet voice finally filled her ear.
“Hey, Al. What’s up? How’s sunny California?”
A wave of emotion struck with such force it took three hard swallows before Alex could even speak. “H-hey. Um . . . yeah. California’s awesome.”
Her sister paused before asking, “Is everything okay?”
It is now.
Mostly.
“Yeah, everything’s great. I’m just . . .”Terrified because I thought I might lose you.“It’s just been a really full day, and I’m totally exhausted.”
“I’m sure the time change doesn’t help.” Avery seemed to buy the lie. “Anyway, what’s going on?”
“Nothing really.” Her pulse finally started to return to its normal pace. “I just finished dinner and am on my way back to the hotel. Figured I’d let you know I’m heading back home tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. What time’s your flight?”
Crap.“I’ll . . . have to check and see.”
“No biggie. I was just curious.”
In the background, Alex heard Garrett’s deep voice as he called out for his wife.
“Hey, Aves? You comin’? The movie’s about to start.”
“Be right there,” her sister hollered back before her focus returned to Alex. “Sorry. We were getting ready to watch a movie, but it can wait if you still need to talk.”
“No.” Alex cleared the remaining tendrils ofemotion from her throat. “No way. Go spend time with your husband. I’ll text you the details of my flight home.”
“You sure?”
“Of course. We can talk in the morning if you want.”
“Sounds good. Just give me a call when you’re up, since I’m a few hours ahead.”
“Okay. Talk soon, sis.”
“Love you.”
“Love you back.”
She ended the call with a sigh. Her chin quivered, and she could feel the tears starting to form again, but she pushed them back when the woman behind the wheel spoke again.
“Like I said.” Agent Swensen’s dark gaze met hers through the rearview mirror. “Your sister is perfectly fine.”
“You mentioned you worked with Colt,” Alex said it as if it were an accusation. “Where is he? He said he’d be at the restaurant, keeping an eye on Gordan, but?—”
“He’s there.”
